Effects of ultrasonication on the microstructures and mechanical properties of carbon nanotube films and their based composites

Carbon nanotube (CNT) film has been considered as a promising preform of CNTs for developing high performance composites that possess content CNTs. However, due to the intertube van der Waals interactions, in films are often tightly bundled together, making impregnation resin materials very challenging. In this work, an eco-friendly ultrasonic-assisted infiltration process developed, and its effects on CNT bundles diameter, crystallinity, stretchability, mechanical properties their based have systematically investigated. It found became thinner stretchability higher upon ultrasonication, thus film-based were improved. extensive sonication would severely destroy crystal structures degrade composites. The underlying mechanisms evolution networks during ultrasonic treatment also discussed.